The physics of radio jets is still not well understood, and this research adopts a three pronged approach to the study of the effects of atmospheric gradients and magnetic fields on jet dynamics and radio source morphology. It will comprise an analytical study of the time independent magnetohydrodynamic fluid equations, a linearized time dependent stability analysis of those equations, and a comparison of the results of these analyses with numerical simulations. Dr. Hardee is one of the most thorough and productive workers in this field, and has developed a strong foundation of computational background for this program.
